Another week passed without news of Bob, but Becky carried on, never saying a word to anyone about it. Alice was due back from leave soon, and it would be a comfort to have her friend around.
She was giving the car a vigorous polish prior to collecting an officer, when she looked up and saw Major Brent coming towards her with a civilian. It took her a moment to realise who it was, but she didn’t forget to salute the major first, even though she was filled with dread.
‘I met your father at the gate.’ Major Brent shook hands with Bill Adams. ‘It’s a pleasure to have met you, Mr Adams. Your daughter will escort you back to the gate. Don’t stay too long.’
‘I won’t, and thank you, Major.’
As the officer left them Becky caught hold of her father’s hand. ‘There must be news for you to have come here, Dad.’
‘I came as soon as we heard. Bob’s safe, darling. We haven’t any details, but we have been told he’s been picked up by an American merchant ship.’
‘Thank God! That’s wonderful news. Is he all right?’
‘We don’t know that, Becky; those poor devils have been in open boats for two weeks, but Will’s on the story, so he’ll get all the details.’
‘What an ordeal that must have been.’ Becky drew in a shuddering breath of relief. ‘But he’s alive, and that’s the main thing.’
‘Yes, that’s very good news, and soon as we know where he’s being taken, we’ll let you know. Now, you’d better see me off the camp. The major very kindly allowed me to see you, but I don’t think I should really be here.’
‘You all right, Reg?’ Bob leant on the bunk to see his friend.
‘Just about.’ He reached out with a shaking hand to take the glass Bob handed him and drank thirstily. ‘That was a close call. Who picked us up?’
‘An American merchant ship on her way back to New York. Only twenty of us got to the lifeboats, and one died, as you know. Now the petty officer’s in a very bad way.’ Bob bowed his head, lines of distress etched on his face. ‘Everyone else – gone …’
‘You shouldn’t be up yet, sailor.’ The ship’s medic steadied Bob as he swayed. ‘You’re too weak.’
‘Is it right we’re heading for New York?’ Reg asked, hoisting himself up to a sitting position.
‘Yes, we’ll dock tomorrow evening. Messages have been sent and your folks will all have been told you’re safe. Ambulances will be waiting to take you to hospital as soon as we arrive.’
‘Thanks, mate.’ Reg flopped back, exhausted. ‘How long have we been on board?’
‘We spotted you three days ago, and to be honest we thought you were all dead.’ The medic’s mouth turned up at the corners. ‘Until we heard an English voice call, “Where the bloody hell have you been?”’
‘Come on, chum.’ Firm hands gripped Bob as he began to shake. ‘We’d sure like to get you all there alive.’
‘What are the chances of that?’
‘Hard to say at this point, but we’ll do our best. Now, back to bed with you, and don’t get up again. We don’t know if you’ve sustained any internal injuries, so I’d like you to stay as still as possible until the doctors get a good look at you.’
Bob allowed himself to be led back to his bunk, and sighed with relief when he was lifted in. ‘God, but I feel terrible.’
‘That isn’t surprising; you’ve had a hell of a time. You all have injuries – some more severe than others – and your immediate need is for food, drink and rest.’ The medic smiled. ‘Just wait until you get to the hospital. The nurses are going to make a great fuss of you.’
‘Are they pretty?’ the man in the next bunk croaked.
‘Just like Betty Grable.’
‘What luck!’ Reg called. ‘And not one of us with as much strength as a newborn baby.’
A ripple of laughter went around the sick bay, and it was a welcome sound from a group of men who had been so close to death.
Bob closed his eyes, a slight smile on his face, and immediately fell asleep.
It was the noise that woke him; the sick bay was alive with activity as men were being lifted out of bunks and put on stretchers.
Doctors were quickly checking each of the survivors before allowing them to be moved, giving quiet orders as they worked.
‘These two first. Get them to the hospital fast. Stay put, sailor. No, you can’t walk …’
He listened to this. They must have docked, but he’d been completely unaware of time passing.
‘I tell you I’m walking off this ship!’ Reg complained. ‘I am quite all right.’
‘OK, let’s see you stand up.’
There was much puffing and grunting, then an American voice saying, ‘I’ve got you, chum.’
‘Do as you’re told, Reg,’ Bob called, when he saw how shaky his friend was.
‘I ain’t got no choice, mate,’ he answered. ‘My legs won’t hold me.’
A doctor reached Bob then and began to examine him. ‘Hmm, we’ll have to see if anything’s broken. Your body’s taken a pounding. How did you come by these injuries?’
Bob looked at the man in amazement. ‘Some silly devil blew up our ship.’
‘I know that, sailor.’ The doctor gave a wry smile. ‘What I meant was did something hit you?’
‘Ah, I see. Well, I got thrown across the deck when the second torpedo hit, and I crashed into something. Don’t remember much after that until I was in the lifeboat.’
‘This one next,’ the doctor ordered, ‘and be careful with him.’
‘He’s not hurt bad, is he, Doc?’ Reg’s worried face appeared next to Bob as he was being carried out. ‘He’s been the life and soul of the party in the lifeboat.’
‘I’m all right.’ Bob gave his friend a reassuring smile. ‘I’d have known if I’d been badly hurt. They’re just being careful. See you at the hospital.’
‘Hey, mate.’ Reg called over an orderly. ‘Are we all going to the same place?’
‘Yeah, you’ll all be together.’
‘That’s all right then. We sort of got used to each other’s company,’ Reg quipped.
The scene on the dockside was unbelievable. Although it was dusk, the place was ablaze with lights, and crowded with people. Encouragement was shouted to each of the survivors as they were carried to the waiting ambulances. After the strict blackout at home it was fascinating.
Bob was loaded into an ambulance with the petty officer. A doctor was already dealing with him, and a nurse sat with Bob, wiping his brow with something sweet smelling. He hadn’t realised he was sweating. ‘Oh, that feels good,’ he murmured, and then closed his eyes when the sirens began to scream. The vehicle was going at breakneck speed and he wished they would slow down a bit. The nurse said something he couldn’t quite hear, her voice seemed to be coming from a great distance, but he could feel her warm hand in his, and he held on tight. He felt bad.
He thought she called the doctor, and then a man was bending over him. ‘The other one’s gone. We got to him too late, but after all these poor devils have gone through, we’ve got to save this one.’
What’s he talking about? Bob thought. I’m all right, and I don’t hurt any more. I’m just tired – so very tired. But they wouldn’t let him sleep. Why wouldn’t they let him sleep? Everything was such a rush. They were wheeling him along … running … why were they running?
Gradually Bob became aware of being in a comfortable bed that wasn’t moving around, clean sheets and a disinfectant smell …
‘Bob! Wake up, mate. Please wake up.’
‘Hmm?’ A straw was put in his mouth and he sucked at it. Orange juice? It was lovely.
‘My goodness, you did enjoy that,’ said a female voice. ‘Open your eyes now, Bob, your friend wants to talk to you.’
It was such an effort, and as consciousness returned so did the pain, and he gasped.
‘We’ve given you something for the pain and it will ease soon,’ the voice told him.
Fully conscious now, he opened his eyes and looked straight at Reg, who was leaning over him.
‘Thank God! We thought you were going to die, like the petty officer.’
‘What the hell happened? I was all right.’ The doctor arrived then. ‘What happened to me, Doc?’
‘When you were thrown across the deck two ribs were cracked, and you had received a severe blow across your abdomen. The merchant ship that picked you up sailed into a storm and you were all tossed about. A weakened blood vessel began to leak, but we got to you just in time. If it had burst completely you would have been dead in minutes. You’ll make a full recovery now.’
He listened in disbelief. ‘Why didn’t I realise I’d been hurt that bad?’
‘Because you had been in cold water and then in an open boat. It had numbed you, and it was only once you were warm the trouble began to be felt.’ The man smiled and patted his shoulder. ‘You rest now. We’ve repaired the damage and you’ll be as good as new in a few days.’
‘Thanks. Did the petty officer die in the ambulance?’
‘I’m sorry to say he did.’
‘Oh, hell, he was a brave man.’
‘You all are.’ The doctor took hold of Reg’s arm. ‘And it’s time you were back in bed. Your friend’s going to be fine, and you’re right next to him, so you can keep an eye on him.’
Reg nodded, smiled with relief at Bob, then climbed into the next bed, propping himself up on his arm so he could still talk to his friend. ‘When you feel better we’ll all go out on the town,’ he said. ‘They don’t know the meaning of the word blackout here, and it’s a real pretty sight.’
‘You’re on. Do you think we can persuade some of the nurses to come with us?’
‘Of course we can. We’re gonna need looking after, aren’t we? Go to sleep now, Bob, we’ve all got to get our strength back.’
For a week they were content to rest, eat good food, and enjoy the fuss being made of them. But that was enough, and the survivors, to a man, began to ask the question uppermost in their minds.
‘How are we going to get back home?’ Bob was the first one to bring up the question. ‘We’re grateful for the care you’ve given us, Doc, but we need to get back now.’
‘Sure you do, but leave it another couple of days and someone will be coming to see you soon.’ The doctor looked at the men gathered around him. ‘It won’t hurt you to have a couple more days of rest.’
‘That’s all very well, Doc,’ Reg told him, ‘but I want to get my own back on that bloody U-boat. And we’re not going to get a chance to do that sitting here.’
‘We’re all that’s left of our crew. All our mates went down with her,’ Harry, one of the other men explained. ‘Those devils under the sea aren’t going to get away with it. That ship had been our home since the start of the war, and the crew were our mates. This is very personal now.’
The doctor was thoughtful for a moment, then said, ‘You know when France fell the opinion of some here was that Britain couldn’t survive on her own, but after meeting all of you I can see why she’s held out against all the odds.’
Reg shrugged. ‘Ah, we heard that tale, but we’re stubborn enough not to believe it. Tell me, Doc, what would you have done if you’d been faced with the same situation?’
‘Fought to my last breath to stop being invaded.’
‘Exactly! There really isn’t any choice, is there?’
‘None at all.’ The doctor began to examine Bob. ‘You guys nearly died out there, but you’ve all made a good recovery, and I can see you’re wanting to give up this idle life now you’ve recovered from your ordeal.’
‘I’m not sure we’ll ever completely recover,’ Bob told him seriously. ‘We’ll carry the memory of those who died for the rest of our lives.’
‘That hurt I can’t heal, I’m afraid.’ Then he hurried off to answer an emergency call.
‘Who’s this?’ Reg nudged Bob. ‘He’s British army.’
Bob blinked, unable to believe his eyes. Then he swung his legs out of bed and stood upright, grinning in delight. ‘Will, what on earth are you doing here?’
The friends greeted each other with great pleasure. ‘Am I glad to see you! We thought we’d lost you. Becky sends her love.’
‘How’s my mum and dad?’
‘Fine since they were told you’re all right.’
‘Well, aren’t you going to introduce us?’ Reg interrupted.
‘Sorry, this is my friend Will I’ve told you so much about.’
Reg beamed. ‘You’re the war correspondent. Great to meet you, Will.’
Bob introduced the men who had gathered around and waited while they shook hands, then chairs were dragged from everywhere so they could all sit down together. Will was known to many of the men through his reports and newsreels, and they were eager to talk to him.
‘You guys having a party?’ one of the nurses asked.
‘We would if you could rustle us up some tea,’ Reg teased.
‘You English and your tea. I’ll see what I can do, but keep the noise down.’
‘Yes, Nurse,’ they all said in mock obedience, and she hurried away, laughing.
‘It’s wonderful to see you, Will, but what brings you here?’ Bob couldn’t get over his surprise.
‘I’m here to do a story on how the ordinary Americans feel about going to war – a war they didn’t want or ask for.’ Will studied the faces around him. ‘Then I want your story, if you don’t mind talking about it?’
‘We’ll tell you what happened, won’t we?’ Reg asked the others, and then turned back to Will when they all nodded in agreement.
‘Thanks. And lastly, I’m here to take you all home. The Queen Mary’s been turned into a troop ship, and we’re sailing on her in three days.’
A cheer went up and two nurses appeared. ‘Quiet! There are a lot of sick people here.’
‘Sorry, Nurse.’ Bob lowered his voice. ‘But we’ll soon be out of your way. We’re going home!’